SEKIU REAL ESTATE promises to be hard to come by this weekend.
Basically, if one were to base property values upon the events of the next 10 days, Clallam Bay High School would be able to construct its very own domed stadium.
As Dan Spomer of Olson’s Resort (360-963-2311) in Sekiu said, “It’s beyond mad house out here.”
Yes, that steady stream of boats you may have seen heading west (or if you’re in Forks, north) is headed for one place, and one place only — the emerald waters of Marine Area 5 (Sekiu).
With the fishery open to both hatchery and wild coho retention, it’s one of the few real games going in the state’s saltwater fishing scene.
Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) also has the same wild coho fishery open through the end of the month, but all of the action appears to be out west . . at least when it comes to pressure.
The frenzy has gotten to the point that moorage is now an issue at several Sekiu-area resorts. So it would behoove anglers eyeing a Clallam Bay fishing day to call ahead.
“Don’t assume there’s going to be space,” Spomer said. “Call ahead and get the latest.”
Word on the actual fishing itself has been a bit up and down, with things only picking up in the last day or so after a long period of poor results.
“Fishing picked up substantially [Thursday],” Spomer said. “One of the fish checkers said it was very good. I definitely saw a lot more coho being brought in, and some nice ones.
“Fish what you’re comfortable with and keep at it. There is no magic bullet, it just takes a lot of patience and hard work.”
Area 9 has required dogged determination of late as well.
Wayne Bibbins of Down Home Charters (360-643-1960) in Port Townsend said there’s really been no rhyme or reason to the fishery.
“It’s either been really good or really poor,” he said. “All of the bellies are empty on the fish we’re catching, they are just swimming right through with their mouths closed.”
A portion of Marine Area 3 (LaPush) will re-open to salmon angling Saturday through Oct. 5 for a late-season fishery targeting coho and chinook returning to the Quillayute River system.
The LaPush Last Chance Salmon Derby is set for next weekend on Sept. 27-28.
